Boo is 23 days old today.Boo made a few attempts today to climb up the inside steps toward the door! I really thought he/she would go for it and stand outside of the box but thankfully didn't make it this time. I'm not ready for Boo to leave! These Barred owls have been so much fun to watch with all their talking back and forth to each other and Boo's ear splitting squeals. He's growing so fast and eats everything in sight. Here's some notes I copied from Grandad Rufus today and a video of Boo's crayfish getting away. I also made a couple of pics. I think Boo is taking on an amazing likeness to Alfred Hitchcock.

9:33 Grandad_Rufus: Once they leave, they climb a tree and the parents continue to feed them9:33 Grandad_Rufus: They build up their wing muscles until they are able to fly short distances9:34 Grandad_Rufus: Will not be independent for 5 months 9:35 Grandad_Rufus: At approximately 4–5 wk of age, flightless young leave the nest, perching on rim or climbing to a branch on the nest tree,9:35 Grandad_Rufus: eventually dropping to the ground and climbing a nearby leaning tree to perch (Bent 1938, Dunstan and Sample 1972, Elderkin 1987, KMM).9:35 Grandad_Rufus: Young begin short flights at approximately 10 wk of age, attaining longer flights by 12 wk (Soucy 1976).9:35 Grandad_Rufus: Fledged young initially stay near one another and the nest site, being fed by parents; slowly move from nest site as they become more mobile.

I was watching Boo squeal and "whine" for Mom who was outside somewhere close. She would answer to Boo which only made the whining increase. This kept on for awhile until Mom came to the box just to comfort her baby. It was so sweet. After Boo settled down and got quiet, Mom left the box again. Owlguy captured it on video.

Boo is 27 days old today. Lots of wingersizing going on and Boo is venturing out onto the perch. This morning Mom came to visit and I got to see them both outside in the daylight. They are just beautiful! Like other owls I've watched, these Barred owls seem so affectionate to each other. Mom came just to visit, have a chat and preen her baby. I took a few snippys.

This is probably our last few days watching Boo in the box. It's time for Boo to live outside and discover the big world waiting for him. I took some pics of him standing on the perch this morning and caught a hork on video. LOL He's so much fun to watch and has such a great personality. I've loved watching this site and learning a little bit about Barred owls.

Leave it to you MissPatticake to get another "Great Hork Moments in History"!!! After that, standing out on the porch and getting some fresh air sounds like a grand idea!! This looks like another great RAPTOR ready for the great BIG WORLD!!! Good luck Boo!!

The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man. ~~ Author Unknown

I love this video of Boo and the eyes are just amazing!! When he/she blinks, the eyes look like that of an old babydoll's eyelids. I will surely miss Boo when she starts "treeing" and leaves us. Thanks for catching such great videos and sharing.